I haven’t even had surgery yet, but I’ve been dropping a few pounds from all the pre-op changes.I went shopping today and actually had to size down and it felt strange.

I'm curious if anyone else feel awkward or unsure when buying smaller clothes for the first time? Or did you fully enjoy that moment?

Would love to hear how you handled it.

I was walking just today, and walked right out of my shoes....I bought them just before surgery.....I investigated and found that my feet are actually smaller!! Who knew?

I felt that too, trying on smaller clothes was exciting, but also kind of surreal. It’s like, “Wait, is this actually my size now?” Definitely took some getting used to.

On 7/7/2025 at 7:36 PM, NeonRaven8919 said:

I still find it odd. I am a smaller size now than I have ever been in my life and I'm only 8 months post op so (hopefully) will lose more.

Even my bike helmet is too big now and I have to get a new one! I never expected to be a size 14

That's amazing progress, congrats! Crazy even the helmet doesn't fit now and with 8 months post op there's still time for more. Keep crushing it!

On 7/2/2025 at 3:05 AM, Lilia_90 said:

I was never big (sans the past 3 years prior to WLS where I had a bad injury that caused the weight gain), was in shape most of my adulthood.

However, what feels so weird is fitting into my 10 year old's clothes, buying off the children's section, buying smaller shoes (yep, my feet dropped a whole size), and looking at pants I'd be sure wouldn't go past my knees that would end up fitting perfectly. I've never been an XXS, and this still weirds me out.

The shoe size really surprised me, all my old shoes flop around on my feet now ? cute shoes too!

Trust me don't wear them, I not realizing this was a thing wore my most comfy shoes (Sketchers sherpa lined clogs) on a trip and I ended up with major blisters just walking in the airport! 3 pairs of socks and bandaids and hobbling along the entire trip. Take it from me - just donate them and buy some new cute shoes!

On 7/8/2025 at 10:03 AM, WendyJane said:

I was walking just today, and walked right out of my shoes....I bought them just before surgery.....I investigated and found that my feet are actually smaller!! Who knew?

Who would’ve thought weight loss could shrink your feet too? Time for a well-deserved shoe shopping trip!

I think the smaller sizes didn’t weird me out too much because I lost weight slowly. I’ve noticed the vanity sizing affecting more clothes that are less well made (based on thrift store finds). I instead went down a rabbit hole about finding styles that look good on me. That one is still a work in progress. I used to pick clothes because it “covered the important bits.” Finding flattering styles is tricky!

1 hour ago, learn2cook said:

I think the smaller sizes didn’t weird me out too much because I lost weight slowly. I’ve noticed the vanity sizing affecting more clothes that are less well made (based on thrift store finds). I instead went down a rabbit hole about finding styles that look good on me. That one is still a work in progress. I used to pick clothes because it “covered the important bits.” Finding flattering styles is tricky!

something to say about "vanity sizing": in my late teen, early twenties, i weighed about 115-120, and the clothes i bought were a consistent size 6.

today im around 105 lbs and double zeroes are often times pretty loose.

there is no "standard" for clothing size labels, which is unfortunate. it really varies greatly from brand to brand.

best way to keep actual track is to take your body measurements yourself. i wish i took body measurements when i was a young thing so that i would have had some data to compare with.

in any case, the message im trying to convey here is that your progress cant be reliably measured based on clothing sizes that you buy. its all about the tape (i.e., measuring tape), baby.

good luck! ❤️

On 7/13/2025 at 4:42 PM, MariMar95 said:

I felt that too, trying on smaller clothes was exciting, but also kind of surreal. It’s like, “Wait, is this actually my size now?” Definitely took some getting used to.

It’s such a weird but awesome feeling.

On 7/15/2025 at 11:26 PM, learn2cook said:

I think the smaller sizes didn’t weird me out too much because I lost weight slowly. I’ve noticed the vanity sizing affecting more clothes that are less well made (based on thrift store finds). I instead went down a rabbit hole about finding styles that look good on me. That one is still a work in progress. I used to pick clothes because it “covered the important bits.” Finding flattering styles is tricky!

I can totally relate to that! Still figuring out what flatters versus what covers everything up.

On 7/15/2025 at 8:26 AM, learn2cook said:

I think the smaller sizes didn’t weird me out too much because I lost weight slowly. I’ve noticed the vanity sizing affecting more clothes that are less well made (based on thrift store finds). I instead went down a rabbit hole about finding styles that look good on me. That one is still a work in progress. I used to pick clothes because it “covered the important bits.” Finding flattering styles is tricky!

I'm still finding it difficult because those "important bits" have changed now (besides the normal decency ones) because now instead of trying to cover the fat, I've exchanged that for loose skin covering up! I refuse to show my arms, stomach and legs now..so I've just traded one embarrassment for another. ?

8 hours ago, BlondePatriotInCDA said:

I'm still finding it difficult because those "important bits" have changed now (besides the normal decency ones) because now instead of trying to cover the fat, I've exchanged that for loose skin covering up! I refuse to show my arms, stomach and legs now..so I've just traded one embarrassment for another. ?

I hear you, feels like we just swap one struggle for another. You're not alone in this.